Adjustable reflective device with multi-functional display
First Claim
1. A reflective mirror system comprising:
- an interior assembly having a variable reflectance element, said variable reflectance element including a liquid crystal layer disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, said first substrate contacted by a polarizing film on its exterior side and said layer on the interior side of said first substrate, said second substrate having a reflector at its side contacted by said layer, wherein said reflector comprises a reflecting metal film wherein said interior mirror assembly comprises at least one light sensor; and
a control system responsive to a predetermined light level sensed by at least said one light sensor, the mirror reflectance being adjustable by said control system.
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Abstract
A reflective device wherein the device reflectivity is adjustable via automatic or manual means. The variable reflectance element includes a metallic mirror reflector on one side of a substrate and additional substrate layers consisting of a polarizer and a LCD whose material characteristics have been optimized for dimming. The mirror assembly provides alternate trigger mechanisms for initiating the dimming function, the dimming function being automatically referenced to ambient light levels (day or night) or manually adjusted or selected. In the automatic mode the dimming mirror assembly provides the user immediate eye protection from reflected high intensity glare by effecting near instantaneous adjustment in mirror reflectivity, such that the intensity of the reflected light impinging on the eyes is automatically adjusted so as to be at comfortable levels. The mirror assembly construction is in one piece, and allows the viewing of a display or TFT monitor located adjacent to the mirror.
10 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A reflective mirror system comprising:
an interior assembly having a variable reflectance element, said variable reflectance element including a liquid crystal layer disposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, said first substrate contacted by a polarizing film on its exterior side and said layer on the interior side of said first substrate, said second substrate having a reflector at its side contacted by said layer, wherein said reflector comprises a reflecting metal film wherein said interior mirror assembly comprises at least one light sensor; and
a control system responsive to a predetermined light level sensed by at least said one light sensor, the mirror reflectance being adjustable by said control system.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A reflective mirror assembly comprising a variable reflectance element, said reflective element having a front surface and a rear surface, said front surface being closer to a user than said rear surface;
wherein said reflective element comprises a mirror reflector that partially reflects light incident thereon;
a light sensor system operable to sense ambient light and glare light incident at or near said reflective element;
wherein said light sensor comprises a silicon photo-sensor and associated circuitry formed as an integrated circuit and wherein said glare light sensor comprises a silicon photo-sensor and associated circuitry formed as an integrated circuit and wherein said glare light sensor converts incident light to a signal processed by a microprocessor;
a control circuit operable to establish a reflectance level of said reflective element, wherein said control circuit is responsive to light detected by at least one of said ambient light sensor and said glare light sensor; and
wherein said control circuit establishes a reflectance level of said reflective element responsive to a ratio of a glare light value to a preselected ambient light value.- View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
Specification